Transcript for Obama: At Least 1 American Killed on Malaysia Flight 17

Yesterday. Malaysian airlines flight and -- seventeen. Took off from Amsterdam. -- was shot down over Ukraine and Russian war. Nearly 300 innocent lives were taken. Men women. Children and infants. Who had nothing to do with crisis inquiry. Their deaths are okay. Outrage of unspeakable proportions. We know at least one American citizens. Quite and -- Lucas shock announcement was killed. Our thoughts and personal with his family for this terrible loss. Yesterday I spoke with the leaders of Ukraine Malaysia and benevolence. That's all -- Arafat's personal would have all the families and that the American people stand with them during this difficult time. Later they'll be speaking with prime mister Evans of Australia. Which also suffered a terrible loss. By far the country lost the most people on board -- plane was -- From today's -- -- introduction very close friends and stalwart allies the United States of America today I want to touch people. Snow that we stand -- -- shoulder to shoulder. In our grief and in or perhaps -- determination. To get Obama what happened. Here's what we know so far. Evidence indicates that the plane was shot down by surface to air missile. That was launched from an area that is controlled by Russian backed separatists inside of Ukraine. We also know that this is not the first time -- -- and has been shot down in eastern Ukraine. Over the last several weeks Russian backed separatists have shut down -- Ukrainian transport plane and a Ukrainian helicopter. And they claimed responsibility for shooting Ukrainian fighter jet. Moreover we know that these separatists have received a steady flow of support. For Russia. This includes arms and training. It includes heavy weapons. And it includes anti aircraft weapons. Here's what must happen now. This was. A global threat -- And Asian airliner was destroyed its European skies filled with citizens. Bomb -- office so there has to be a credible international investigation into what happened. UN Security Council has endorsed this investigation and we will hold all its members according Russia. -- their work. In order to facilitate that investigation. Russia. Pro Russian separatists and Ukraine must adhere to an immediate cease fire. Evidence must not be tampered worth. Investigators need to access the crash site. And the solemn task river turn those who have lost on board the plane to their loved ones. Needs to go forward immediately. The United States stands ready to provide any assistance that is necessary. We've already offered the support of the FBI and the national press -- safety board. Which has experience in working with international partners on these types of investigations. There are all the way personnel from the FBI and the National Transportation Safety Board. In the coming hours and days -- continued vehicles contact readers from around the world as we respond to this catastrophe. Our immediate focus will be -- -- those who lost. Investigating exactly what happened and putting forward facts. I want to point out there won't likely be misinformation. As well. It's very important for -- Sift through. What is factually based. What is simply speculation. No one can deny the truth as revealed -- -- awful images that we all have seen. The eyes of the world are on the eastern -- -- We are and make sure that the truth is out. More broadly. I think it's important for us. Recognized that. This outrageous events. Underscore us that it is time for peace and security to be restored in his right. For months we support a pathway to peace. And Ukrainian government has reached out to all ukrainians. Put forward a peace plan -- lived up to a cease fire despite repeated violations by the separatists. Violations that took the lives. Ukrainian. Soldiers and personnel. More over time and again Russia has refused to take -- concrete steps necessary to -- escalate the situation. I spoke to President Putin yesterday. In the wake -- additional sanctions that we impose. These that he wasn't happy with -- but I told them. That. We have been very clear from the outset that. We want Russia to take the -- That would result in -- and Ukraine but so far at least Russia has failed to take that path. Instead it is continue to violate Ukrainian sovereignty and to support violence efforts. It is also failed to use its influence to press the separate -- to abide by cease fire. That's why together whatever allies imposed -- -- on Russia. -- This summer an appropriate time for all of us to step back and take -- -- look. -- what has happened. Violence in conflict inevitably lead to -- perceived consequences. Russia. These separate us and Ukraine all have the capacity put -- end of the fighting. Meanwhile the United States is gonna continue to lead efforts within the world community to the escalate the situation. To stand up for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and the support the people of Ukraine as they graciously work. The strength of -- democracy and make their own decisions about. -- -- -- --

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